Washing apparatus having means for automatically



Aug. 18, 1959 G. HETRICK 2,899,815

WASHING APPARATUS HAVING MEANS FOR AUTOMATICALLY ADMITTING DE'IERGENTv THERETO 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Sept. 30 1957 FIG2.

INVENTOR GEORGE L HETmcK Aug. 18, 1959 G. L. HETRICK 2,899,815

WASHING APPARATUS HAVING MEANS FOR AUTOMATIC/ALLY ADMITTING 'DETERGENT THERETO 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 50, 1957 INVENTvoR GEORGE L HETRIG ATToRN Y United States amm 2,899,815 WASHING APPARATUS HAviNG MEANS non AUroMATIcALLY ADMITTING DETERGENT THERETo e George L. Hetrick, Mansfield, Ohio, yassigner to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, `East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application September 30, 1957, Serial No. 687,170

6 Claims. (61568;17)

This invention relates to washing apparatus having means for automatically admitting detergent thereto and has for an object to -provide improved apparatus of this kind.

A further object of the invention is yto regulate the amount of Vdetergent admitted -to the washing apparatus in response, conjointly, tothe amount of water delivered lto the apparatus and the degree of soil in the material to be treated.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved apparatus for conveying Hmeasured quantities of detergent to a washing machine.

In practising the invention, the novel detergent dispenser is applied to a washing machine of any type having a tub or vat in which a body lof washing solution and the material to be cleaned are disposed. The dispenser has an 'expansible bellows into which liquid detergent from a reservoir is delivered by means of a conduit having a check valve therein. The bellows is also connected to the tub by a conduit provided with a second check valve so that, as the bellows is expanded, detergent is admitted thereto from the-reservoir and, as the bellows is contracted, detergent flows therefrom to Vthe tub. Means is provided for completely expanding the bellows at the start of a washing cycle'so that the bellows is iilled with detergent. This operation is preferably effected by the opening of the door for the'access opening usually provided in the tub. The bellows is latched in its expanded position when'the door is closed and is subsequently unlatched and contracted for the delivery of a predetermined quantity of detergent to the water admitted to the tub.

The quantity of detergent admitted to the tub is varied by varying the amount of contraction of the bellows. The latter operation is carried outby a stop device for the bellows, which stop device is positioned, conjointly, by adjustment of the water level mechanism and amanually actuated handle movable to selective'positions corresponding to thedegree of soil in the material being treated, Accordingly, a washing solution is prepared having the proper amount of detergent forthe volume of the solution and for the amount of soil in the material being washed, as appraised by the operator.

The foregoing and other objects are effected by the invention as will be apparent from the following description and claims taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, fo-rminga part of this application, in which:

Fig. l is a partial, front elevation of a washer arranged in accordance with the invention; portions of the machine being broken away for the sake of clearness;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken through the cabinet of the washer shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an isometric view of the detergent-dispenser for the washer, portions of which are broken yaway for the sake of clearness;

Fig. 4 is an exploded isometric view of details of the detergent dispenser shown in Fig. 3; and

Fig. A5 'is a section of a detailand taken along the line V--V of Fig. l.

Referring now to the drawings, the invention is shown applied to a 4domestic-clothes washer having a tub, generally indicated at `10, yfor enclosing a body of washing water and the Vfabrics to be treated; the latter being agitated in the water by suitable means to carry out a washing action. Since the invention 'is applicable to any form `of washer having a tub, as setforth, the washer will not be described for the sake of brevity, it being understood that there are 'many-forms and makes lof domestic clothes washers now on the market "which are well known and to which the invention maybe applied equally Well. Such washers usually include Yan electrically operated valve, energized 'for ladmitting water to the tube and controlled responsive to the level of'water in the tub. As shown, the tub 10 is enclosed in a cabinet 11 and is connected to the'froiltwall thereof by a collar portion 12 the latter being providedwith an access opening 13. A suitable door 14,\hin'ged to the cabinet, as shown at 1S, closes the 'opening 13 andis movable downwardly to a horizontal position when opened.

Variable Vquantities of water are admitted to the tub 10 by said electrically operated valve (not shown) which valve is controlled by a water level control switch shown, by way of example, as a pressureswitch 16. The latte-r communicates by rneansiofV a tube `17, with the bottom region or sump of the tube "101 so that air in the tube 17 is compressed as the water level rises; the air pressure being a'function of the head ofwater in the tub. The pressure switch 16 `issuitably adjusted by a stem 18 and handle V19 to vary the air pressure at which vtheswitch 16 opens to deenergize and close the water valve, whereby the head'of water admittedfto `the tub -10l is varied. Indicia H, M and' L- for thehandle -19 maybe provided on the front of (the casing'llfor indicating high, medium and low water levels. Since this manner of varying the water levelin thetube is so well known, further description is deemed unnecessary. A water levelcontrol of the type forth is disclosed in thepatent of E. O Morton, No. 2,592,314, granted April 8, 1952.

In accordance with the "'present invention, variable quantities of liquid detergent are' deliveredto the tub l1l) by a detergent dispensing 'andmeasuring device, generally indicated at -21-and lsuitably'rnounted within the cabinet 4V11. As best'shown'in the isometric view,-Fig. 3,` the dispenser includes aboxfstructure-fZZ enclosingan expansible bellows y23;` theupper end ofwhich is suitably attached to the upper wall ofthe box 22. The lower end of the bellows 23 is fre'e tornove-for expanding and contracting the chamber24'within the bellows. As shown, the lower end of thel bellows- 23 engages a`rockable member 25, the latter being movable-angu1arly about af-shaft26 that is carried by the-box-Z'Z. The member ZS-is-biasedat all times clockwise 'about the shaftz -by 4a suitable tension spring 27, so that an arm=28 4extending fro-inthe member 25 engages the underside yof-the bellows. ltvwill'be understood that the inherent bias in the bellows-23 maintains the lower end thereof in engagementwith the arm 28 at all times. Furtherrefere'nce to the operation of the rockable member-25 is made hereinafter.

The expansible chamber 24 communicates, by-'means of a conduit 31, with a storage reservoir 32 for liquid detergent and suitably mounted ina convenient location Within the casing 11. The upper end of the reservoir 32 is accessible at the front of the cabinet and {has an opening through which detergent is admitted to Vthe reservoir, which opening is; closed by -arernovable cap 33. The lower'endk of the conduit 31 Within' the expansible chamber 24 is provided with aY check valve-34 for preventing reverse -ow of liquid detergent fromthe check valve 34 to the conduit 31. As shown, the check valve 34 may be formed of resilient material having engaging lips 35 at its lower end. During expansion `of the chamber 24, the pressure therein is depressed belowthe pressure within the valve 34 so that'the lips are separated for delivery of detergent to the chamber 24. Conversely, during contraction of the bellows, eX- terior pressure on the lips 35 engages them preventing the passage of liquid detergent from the chamber 24 to the conduit 31. A second conduit 36 provides communication between the expansible chamber 24 and the tub for the delivery of liquid detergent to the tub. Preferably, the conduit 36 terminates in a region of the tub elevated with respect to the maximum liquid level in the reservoir to preclude siphoning of detergent from the reservoir. Conduit 36 is provided with a check valve 37 similar in construction to the valve 34 4and operating to pass detergent from the conduit 36 to the tub during contraction of the expansible chamber 24, but preventing reverse flow of uid from the tub to the conduit 36.

It will be apparent that, during expansion of the bellows 23, liquid detergent flows from the reservoir 32 to the chamber 24 and, -during contraction of the bellows, an amount of detergent is passed from the chamber 24 through the conduit 36 to the tub 10; the quantity of detergent being determined by the amount of contraction of the chamber 24. As described-hereinafter, the chamber 24 is always expanded to a predetermined ixed volume at the beginning of each operation of the washer. However, the subsequent contraction of the bellows 23 and the chamber 24 is variable depending upon the amount of detergent required for the quantity of water y admitted to the washer and the condition of the soil in the fabrics being washed. The apparatus for varying the amount of detergent delivered to the tub will now be described. Y

As shown, the rockable member 25 is provided with an 4arcuate arrangement of ratchet teeth 39 engageable with a pawl 41, the latter being actuated by a spindle 42 suitably journalled in the-sides of the box structure 22. At one end of the box 22 a vertically slidable plate 43 is provided. This plate 43 has an elongated rectangular slot 44 therein, and a knee 45, formed on the rockable member 25, is disposed within the slot 44 at all times. As best shown in Figs. 1 `and 2, the plate 43 is connected by means of a rod 46 to an arm 47 formed on the door 14 and which may be part of the hinge structure thereof. The rod 46 is pivotally connected at its upper Vend to the arm 47 and the lower end of the rod 46 extends within -a second slot 48 formed in the Aplate 43. It will be noted that the rod 46 and the slot 48 define a lost motion connection between the rod 46 and the plate 43. From the foregoing description, it will be noted that, as the door 14 is moved to its open, generally horizontal position, the rod V46 moves to the upper end ofthe slot 48 and then carries the plate 43 to its upper position. During this movement of the plate 43, the lower end of the main slot 44 engages the knee 45 and rotates the member 25 counterclockwise to the position shown in the drawings. This movement is, of course, in opposition to the bias of the spring 27 and the member 25 is located or latched in this position by the pawl 41. Of course, during this movement, the bellows 23 by its inherent bias moves downwardly expanding the chamber 24 and drawing detergent from the reservoir 32. In this cocked position of the member 25, the chamber 24 is fully expanded and completely lled with liquid detergent. Y

Delivery of detergent from` the chamber 24 'to the tub 10 is effected by rotating the pawl 41 clockwise, releasing the member 25. Accordingly, the clockwise movement imparted to the member 25 by the spring 27 compresses the chamber 24 and delivers a quantity of detergent to the tub through the conduit 36 depending upon the amount of contraction of the 4 chamber 24. It will be noted that the ow of detergent to the tub continues until the knee engages the bottom of the main slot 44 whereupon further angular movement of the member 25 is arrested as well as further contraction of the chamber 24. Releasing movement of the pawl 41 is eiected in any suitable manner such as, for example, by means of a magnet 49 when energized. It will be noted from Fig. 3 that, as the armature 51 of the magnet 49 moves downwardly, the pawl 41 is moved clockwise out of engagement with the ratchet teeth 39. The pawl 41 and armature 51 are biased at all times to the position shown by a suitable spring (not shown).

Since an amount of detergent delivered to the tub is dependent upon the amount of movement of the member 25, means is provided for varying the movement of the member 25 at the will of the operator in order to vary the quantity of detergent admitted to the tub. This `operation is carried out by varying the vetrical position of the plate 43 when the door 14 of the washer is closed. As shown, a block 52 having steps 53 formed on one end thereof is slidably mounted for movement within the slot 44. The block 52 slides within a housing 54 secured to the top of the box structure 22 and having opposed vertical slots 55 formed in the sides thereof.

VThe block 52 is provided with an oblique slot 56 and the lower end of a rod 57 extends through both slots 55 and 56. Accordingly, as the rod 57 moves downwardly in the slots 55, the block 52 is forced to the left, as viewed in the drawings, by the force applied to' the lower wall of the inclined or oblique slot 56.

As Ishown in the drawings, the stepped end of the block 52 is completely withdrawn from the main slot 44 so that the plate 43 may move to its lowermost position and, in this position, full movement or stroke of the rockable member 25 is provided. Accordingly, maximum compression of the bellows is afforded and, therefore, maximum quantity of detergent is delivered to the tub. As the rod 57 is raised, the stepped end 53 of the block is moved within the slot 44. This adjustment is, of course, made when the plate 43 is in its most elevated position or when the door 14 is open. As the door is closed and the plate 43 is lowered, as described, the upper end of the slot 44 engages one of the steps 53 depending upon the adjustment of the rod 57. Accordingly, the bottom of the slot 44 is elevated more or less depending upon the adjustment of the rod 57 and, therefore, the stroke of the member 25 is determined. Minimum movement of the member 25 is, of course, carried out when the upper surface of the block 52 is disposed within the slot 44 for engagement by the upper margin of the slot as the door 14 of the washer is closed.

The adjusting rod 57 is actuated conjointly by the handle 19 of the water level device and a second handle 58 which is positioned by the operator after evaluating the soil in the load of fabrics to be treated. The handle 58 cooperates with indicia H, M and L of the soil dial, representing heavy, medium and light soil conditions, respectively. The handles 19 and 58 have respective pins 59 and 61 (see Fig. 5), which pins support ends of a link 62, being disposed in elongated slots formed in the link 62, as shown. The rod 57 is suitably secured to the center of the link 62. Accordingly, the block 54 is adjusted ,by the conjoint action of the handles 19 and 58. Movement of either handle toward its high index depresses the rod and, therefore, withdraws the stepped end 53 of block 54 from vthe plate opening 44. Accordingly, the plate 43 is lowered, increasing the contraction of the bellows 23 and the amount of detergent delivered to the tub when the member 25 is released, as described above. Conversely, movement of either handle 19 or 58 toward its low index L elevates the rod 57 and inserts the block 54 further into the slot 44, Accordingly, the plate is retained in an elevated position,

depending upon the stop 53 on which it rests, and, as pointed out heretofore, the contraction of the bellows 23 and the amount of detergent delivered to the tub are relatively small when the member 25 is released.

From the foregoing description, it Will be apparent that an improved dispenser of variable measured quantities of detergent is provided for a washing machine. The dispenser is readily adjustable by the operator and provides detergent concentrations which are `optimum for the quantity of washing water employed and the degree of soil in the material under treatment. While the invention is particularly adaptable for clothes washing machines, it will be apparent that it may be applied to other forms of washers using detergent solutions for carrying `out the cleaning operations.

While the invention has been shown in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. In Washing apparatus, the combination of a tub for containing washing solution and the material to be treated, means for admitting variable quantities of water to the tub and including an adjustable member movable to a plurality of stations, an adjusting handle movable to a plurality of stations corresponding to the amount of soil in the material to be treated, means for admitting variable quantities of detergent to the tub and means conjointly actuated by said adjusting member and said handle for positioning the detergent admitting means to determine the quantity of detergent admitted to the tub.

2. In apparatus for Washing fabrics, the combination of a tub for containing washing solution and the fabrics to be treated, means for admitting variable quantities of water to the tub and including an adjusting handle movable to selective stations, a second adjusting handle movable to a plurality of stations corresponding to the amount of soil in the fabrics to be treated, means for admitting variable quantities of detergent to the tub and including means defining an expansible chamber, means for delivering liquid detergent to the chamber during expansion thereof, means for conveying detergent from the chamber to said tub during contraction of the chamber and a mechanism adjusting the amount of contraction of the chamber for varying the quantity of detergent conveyed to the tub, said mechanism being positioned, conjointly, said first and second mentioned adjusting handles.

3. In apparatus for washing fabrics, the combination of a tub for containing washing solution and the fabrics.

to be treated and having an access opening, a door closing the opening and movable to an open position, means for admitting water to the tub and including an adjusting member movable to a plurality of positions for varying the quantity of water delivered to the tub, a manually actuated handle movable to selective stations corresponding to the degree of soil in the fabrics to be treated, means for admitting detergent to the tub and including an expansible chamber, means for delivering detergent to the chamber during expansion thereof, means for conveying detergent from the chamber to the tub during contraction of the chamber, means responsive to opening of said door for expanding said chamber, means for subsequently contracting the chamber and a mechanism for adjusting the amount of contraction of the chamber and, therefore, the quantity of detergent conveyed to the tub, said mechanism being positioned, con- 6. jointly by said adjusting member and the manually actuated handle.

4. In apparatus for washing fabrics, the combination of a tub for containing Washing -solution and the fabrics to be treated and having an access opening, a door closing the opening and movable .to an open position, means for admitting water to the tub and including an adjusting member movable to a plurality of positions for varying the quantity of water delivered to the tub, a manually actuated handle movable to selective stations corresponding to the degree of soil in the fabrics to be treated, means for admitting detergent to the tub and including an expansible chamber, a reservoir for storing detergent, means including a one-way check valve for conveying detergent from the reservoir to said chamber during expansion of the latter, means including a second one-way check valve for conveying detergent from the chamber to the tub during contraction of the chamber, means responsive to opening of said door for completely expanding the chamber, means for subsequently contracting the chamber and a mechanism for varying the amount of contraction of the chamber and, therefore, the quantity of detergent conveyed from the chamber to the tub, said mechanism being positioned conjointly by said adjusting member and the manually actuated handle.

5. In washing apparatus, the combination with a tub for containing washing water and the fabrics being treated, of an expansible bellows, biasing means for contracting the bellows, a reservoir for detergent, conduit means including a one-way valve for conveying detergent from the reservoir to the bellows upon expansion of the latter, second conduit means including a one-Way valve for conveying detergent from the bellows to the tub upon contraction of the bellows, means for completely expanding the bellows for filling the latter with detergent in opposition to the biasing means, means latching the bellows in its expanded position, means for subsequently unlatching the bellows whereby contraction of the same by the biasing means is effected, an adjustable stop for limiting the amount of contraction of the bellows and, therefore, the quantity of detergent conveyed to the tub by said seconod conduit means, and manually actuated means for adjusting said stop.

6. In washing apparatus, the combination of a tub for containing washing solution and the material to be treated and having an access opening formed therein, a door for closing the access opening and movable to an open position, means for admitting variable quantities of water to the tub and including a manually actuated adjusting handle movable to a plurality of selective stations, a second manually adjusting handle movable to a plurality of stations corresponding to the degree of soil in the material to be treated, means for admitting variable quantities of detergent to the tub, means conjointly lactuated by the rst and second mentioned adjusting handles for positioning the detergent admitting means to determine the quantity of detergent admitted to the tub, and means for rendering said second manually adjusting handle inaccessible in the closed position of said door and accessible in the open position thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,647,219 Fulton Nov. 1, 1927 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION August 18, 1959 Patent NO 2,899,815

George L. Hetrick It is herebjr certified that error` appears in theprinted specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 2, lines 15, 28 and 38, for "tube", each occurrence, reed tub column 6, line 24, after "positioned" insert a commiu Signed and sealed this 9th day of February 1960 qsEAL) Attest:

ROBERT C. WATSON KAEL E. AXLTNE Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

